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20 questions for Flyers development camp, which kicks off Thursday

Robert Hagg, Zack Hill.JPG

The Flyers' top two 2013 draft picks, defensemen Samuel Morin (right) and Robert Hagg (front left), skated together at last summer's development camp and they'll both participate again this year. The six-day camp begins Thursday.
(Zack Hill/Flyers)

PHILADELPHIA – The Flyers begin their annual development camp Thursday.

Let's play a game of 20 questions (and answer them all) to fill you in on what's happening and what to look for:

Q: Where and when:

A: The Flyers Skate Zone practice rinks in Voorhees, as usual, will host the on and off-ice workouts during mornings and afternoons from Thursday through Sunday, and next Tuesday. There will be two on-ice sessions each day.

Q: Are all sessions open to the public and free to attend?

A: Yes.

Q: Who's coming?

A: Twenty-nine prospects are scheduled to participate, including the Flyers' last three top draft picks – defensemen Travis Sanheim (2014) and Samuel Morin (2013), and center Scott Laughton (2012).

Q: Who’s running the camp?

A: Flyers player development directors Kjell Samuelsson and John Riley.

Q: Will the prospects ever be split into two teams for a game?

A: No.

Q: Can you get autographs?

A: Yes. Players usually sign after their work day in the Skate Zone parking lot.

Q: What the schedule for Thursday?

A: The four goalies were supposed to be on the Flyers' rink ice from 9 a.m. to noon, but that session was canceled Thursday morning. All 29 participants will be on the Phantoms' rink ice from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Q: What's the schedule for Friday?

A: The goalies will be on the Flyers' rink ice from 9 a.m. until noon. The Phantoms rink will be used by forwards from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., defensemen from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and by all 29 players from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Q: What's the schedule for Saturday?

A: The goalies will be on the Flyers' rink ice from 9 a.m. until noon. The Phantoms rink will be used by forwards from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., defensemen from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and by all 29 players from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Q: What’s the schedule for Sunday?

A: The goalies will be on the Flyers' rink ice from 9 a.m. until 11:10 a.m. The Phantoms rink will be used by forwards from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., defensemen from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and by all 29 players from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Q: What's the schedule for next Tuesday?

A: The goalies will be on the Flyers’ rink ice from 9 a.m. until noon. The Phantoms rink will be used by forwards and defensemen from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and by all 29 players from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Q: Do the Flyers have rights to all the players?

A: All but two goalies, which are free agent camp invites. In past years, there were more free agent invites, such as defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, younger brother for former Flyers left wing James van Riemsdyk. According to Flyers director of scouting Chris Pryor, "We want to focus more on our own players."

Q: What's going on Monday?

A: The Flyers' annual Trial on the Isle day will be held in Stone Harbor.

Q: What's the Trial on the Isle schedule?

A: Conditioning and "team-building exercises with competition" begins at 8:15 a.m. at the Stone Harbor Volunteer Fire Company at 2nd Ave. and 96th St. Players will move to beach at 96th St. from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m., then head to the Stone Harbor Yacht Club for water-challenge activities at 10:30 a.m. Select prospects will participate in a free youth hockey clinic at the Stone Harbor Elementary School at 12:45 p.m., followed by a meet-and-greet autograph session beginning at 1:15 p.m.. The day concludes with the Flyers Beach Volleyball Blast at 3:15 p.m. on the beach at 96th St.

Q: Besides Sanheim, will others from the 2014 draft class attend the camp?

A: All six picks will take part, including two Swedes and a Russian. It will be fun newcomers such as No. 2 pick Nicolas Aube-Kubel , a right wing who scouts think can develop into a top-6 NHL forward.

Q: Who else is worth watching?

A: Shayne Gostisbehere, a 2012 third-round pick who led Union College to a NCAA title this year, is a puck-moving blueliner with star potential.

Q: Anybody else?

A: There are a bunch of prospects worth checking out. Goalie Anthony Stolarz, a local product from Jackson, is coming off a very strong OHL season. Forwards Petr Straka and Taylor Leier look like future NHL players.

Czech forward Petr Straka could debut in the NHL next season after playing 2013-14 in the AHL.Zack Hill/Flyers

A: Laughton has the best shot to be with the Flyers all season as a fourth-line center, but perhaps only if veteran center Vincent Lecavalier is traded. Defenseman Mark Alt, son of former NFL star offensive lineman John Alt, seems a good bet to make his NHL debut next season if and when injuries force the Flyers to call up a blueliner from the AHL.

Q: What about Gostisbehere?

A: The Flyers think he needs a full season in the AHL, but his offensive game is so dynamic that reaching the NHL at some point next season definitely is a possibility.